When I saw this wine called Babu from the Tejo in Portugal it invoked memories of Gandhi. Gandhi had a nickname of Bapu which is so close to Babu. While not an exact match with Babu it is close enough to trigger a smile and toast to the great Indian statesman. The Portuguese set up a settlement in Goa in present day India in 1510 and there they remained until driven out by Indian forces in 1961.
The Babu is a red blend of Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional.
The palate is indicative of a red wine a little long on the tooth. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gave it a 92 when he tried it over two years ago. Unfortunately, it bears the hallmarks of a red wine on the decline. Prune, coffee and juice in its last throes. On the palate notes of molasses, burnt rubber, cement and cherries sitting on the counter for two days. Who on earth bought this wine or agreed to put it on the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario?
You know I read an article about wine writing by a wine writer that prattled about integrity of wine writers yet in the same breath stated he rarely releases reviews about clunker wines. My view is that a rogue wine deserves to be shouted down to have purchasers start thinking about caveat emptor. Again how did this burnt out wine reach the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario? It strikes me this is a conspiracy! The LCBO as ultimate purchaser, the winery with its reputation on the line and the agent that brought into the LCBO. But my finger points to the LCBO as they decide what goes on their shelves and is sold to the public. Tsk Tsk!
I would suggest you not purchase but if you have a retailer with decent return policies buy, have a glass and see what spent wine tastes like and then return it.
(Babu Reserva 2018, Vinho Regional Tejo, Fiuza & Bright, Portugal, $14.95, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 617175, RKS Wine Rating Purchase at Your Own Risk)
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